A happy meating

No, I have not suddenly become illiterate! Read on....

Today turned out to be another very good day, and the credit, as yesterday, goes to kind people who go out of their way to do nice things for me. Last night, as previously reported, a beautiful lady let me yammer at her over the phone, said things that I enjoyed hearing and, in general treated me as if I was a real human being.

ABSOLUTELY NON-PARENTHETICAL THOUGHT: I'm happy to tell you the effects lingered, are still lingering. It's amazing what conversation with the right -- that is, interesting and intelligent -- person can do to sweep the cobwebs out of the mind....

So on to this day, which began with a lot of little work-hassles, all of which were ultimately worked out, followed by a call from a friend whose car was in a shop across town and needed to be picked up. That involved a 60-mile drive through afternoon traffic. Not my favorite way to spend an afternoon -- or any time -- but a friend is a friend.

When I got home, there was a large Styrofoam ice chest at my front door. I brought it in while checking the mailing label; who would be sending me anything in an ice chest?*

Scott would, that's who. He and his wife Kelly have become good friends recently; they have been supportive during my more difficult moments, and just plain nice the rest of the time.

The gift? A box of Omaha Steaks, plump and juicy. Well, I'm pretty sure they will be juicy; at the moment they are quite solidly frozen. Even in their uncooked state, they look good enough to tempt the most committed vegetarian to revert to carnivorous status.

Fortunately, I'm a lifelong fan of a good steak, and now I have several to enjoy. I'll have to find some good Texas BBQ sauce for at least one of these beauties!

The only thing that saddens me (only slightly, since I'm greedy!) is that I can't share them, in person, with Scott and Kelly, as well as sweet Lauren, some of the other friends I've come to realize are around for me, and last night's angel. I wouldn't offer any to my bro, since I believe he grazes in fields and munches on lettuce. But if he wants to backslide, I'd throw one on the fire for him right quick.

Ostensibly, part of the reason for the gift was to thank me for giving Scott some "expert" advice on a purchase he made. But I know the real reason: Scott and Kelly are simply two very, very good people.

And I will be reminded of that -- as if I needed the reminder -- several times in the near future.


* For one moment, inspired no doubt by memories of the first "Godfather" movie, I was afraid someone might be sending me something gruesomely deceased as a kind of message....